WHO will have the most well travelled balloon in the RNLI’s new race?

Weymouth lifeboat station will be hosting a sponsored balloon race on May 5. Thousands of balloons will be released from Weymouth Harbourside at 2pm.

The three ‘most well travelled’ balloons will each win a prize, including a return day trip for two with a car to the Channel Islands on Condor Ferries. There will also be a reward for the person who returns the first prizewinning ticket.

The race was last held back in 2008 when the winning balloon reached the Baltic Coast close to Sweden.

Chairman of the Weymouth branch of the RNLI, Tony Beeson said: “We did one a few years ago and it was extremely successful and it’s something we thought we’d try again this year.”

The balloons are only £1 each to buy a tag. These will then be attached to the balloons on the day of the launch before they are released.

Mr Beeson said: “The plan this year is we get people responding, saying they found the tag and we will be putting it on Google maps on the lifeboat’s website.”

Mr Beeson said how far the balloons will travel depends on the weather. Last time they flew off north before heading east.

As the balloons deflate over a matter of two or three weeks they will float down until they are picked up and returned.

All the money raised will go towards the RNLI, both the life boats, the beach lifeguards and the flood rescue teams.

n To buy a balloon tag, visit Weymouth lifeboat station on the harbourside, Bussells Chandlers on Hope Street or Weymouth Angling Centre. Follow the results of the balloon launch visit www.weymouthlifeboat.org.uk